Noello plans big for 2016

From a tender age motswakolista Mooketsi Letlhalerwa also known as Noello has loved music.

He used to singalong to other artistes’ songs. He was so good at it that his friends eventually asked him why he could not write his own music and pursue a career in music. He took this advice to heart and that’s when it all began for him.

Although he was sure of his talent, it was only in 2007/2008 that he started recording but still he wasn’t contented. He wanted great quality music. In 2009/2010 he released his first EP which had six tracks to test his music in the market. It was received warmly and so he started working on making more music.

A soldier by profession, Noello juggles his music career with his 07:30-16:30 job. Sometimes he encounters a clash of interest but for now, he says he’s managing under the circumstances.

He has had collaborations with other local artistes such as A.T. I. and Mosako. One formula he uses to choose an artist to do a collaboration with is to find out if he can learn something from that artist. He discourages the tendency of just picking artists randomly.

One of his songs, magaolwane has received a lot of airplay locally but he insists this was not the highlight of his career. In fact that moment came when his music was played on the background of the local South African soapie, Rockville. It was a very special moment in his career, he says.

Noello also emphasises the importance of having a good management team. He started off as a one-man show but eventually realised that no man is an island and roped in ‘PP’ of Gilbert Promotions as his manager.

As an artist he says, one’s job is to focus on being in the studio and making good quality music. This motswakolista is not only into music, he has his own clothing label, which he started to maintain a permanent presence in people’s minds.

His plans for 2016 are to make more merchandise from this label and sell. He also wants to make more videos from his album, which won him best hip hop/motswako album at the BOMU awards.

He wants to remake it and feature some international acts in it.